In October 2016, the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) published ISO 37001, the firstglobal standard for the developmentand implementation of an anti-briberymanagement system. The emergence of ISO37001 was a welcome developmentas it provides a universal frameworkfor managing bribery risk that canbe used by organizations of all sizes,industries, regions, and risk profiles.To date, Peru, Singapore, and thePhilippines have adopted ISO 37001as their respective government’sstandard, and other countries areexpected to follow their lead.A unique feature of ISO 37001 is that anorganization can demonstrate compliancewith the standard by obtaining a certificationfrom an independent, accredited auditor.The certification brings substantial value toan organization as it provides an objectivemeans by which it can outwardly demonstrateits commitment to combating bribery.Not only does this provide a competitiveadvantage over an organization’s non-certifiedcompetitors, but it also levels the playing field(from a bribery risk management perspective)for smaller organizations competing againstlarge multinational corporations or foreigndomestic firms.ISO 37001 is not without its critics.The criticism, however, is generally notdirected at the standard itself. Instead, theISO 37001: Checking the boxon “doing compliance”» ISO 37001 was a welcome development, as it provides a universal framework for managing bribery risk that can be usedby organizations of all sizes, industries, regions, and risk profiles.» A unique feature of ISO 37001 is that an organization can demonstrate compliance with the standard by obtaining acertification from an independent, accredited auditor.» Critics of the ISO 37001 certification fundamentally misunderstand the mandatory requirements of the standard and thethoroughness of the certification process.» An organization can only achieve ISO 37001 certification with documented evidence that the standard’s mandatedpolicies, procedures, and process are implemented and followed.» The ISO 37001 certification provides an objective means by which an organization can demonstrate that its anti‑briberymanagement system conforms to international best practices.by Ramsey Kazem, JD, MBA, CCEP‑IKazemTo date, Peru, Singapore, andthe Philippines have adoptedISO 37001 as their respectivegovernment’s standard…